A look at the private pools of Israel's ultra-rich

At a time when “wellness” has become a life attitude, the private swimming pool has experienced a quiet revolution. The home pool no longer only turned a status symbol or a place to cool down into a sanctuary for healing and intellectual clarity.

For Israel's ultra-rich, both of whom can understand the value of investing in body and mind and can afford this, the backyard pool has become the new meditation room of the family.

In recent years, the design of luxury pools in Israel has reached almost artistic heights. These are not just pools – they are fully integrated wellness environments that change complex architectural elements, lush natural landscape design and lighting with the time of day. The goal is clear: to create a complete, immersive wellness experience without leaving the house.

For obvious reasons, discretion under this elite customer is of the greatest importance that is of little interest in curious eyes. In order to get rare access and possibly a quiet slump in a million-bowel pool, I have entered the help of Avner Zadok, CEO von Plagim, a company that specializes in planning and building high-end pools.

On a summer morning in a central -Israeli quarter, the name of which we do not reveal, Zadok opens the gate to a world of breathtaking, reserved opulence. “We are in one of the most beautiful places in the country with one of the most extraordinary pools that we have built,” he says proudly. “Everything here is completely natural and overlooks a real nature reserve. Birds chirp, water shops – it is a pure bliss. The pool mixes so seamlessly into the landscape, they feel part of nature when they are in it.”

The pool itself extends 16 meters long and 7 meters wide, divided into a lounge area and a deep swimming zone. The water built in an infinity edge style over the zero line and creates the illusion that it endlessly smears with the pastoral horizon.

And the price for this piece of heaven? Zadok hesitates and then confirms: “Around one million shekel.” The costs, he explains, not only reflects the size of the pool, but also the measure of planning, handicrafts and unique elements. “It's not just a pool,” he says, “it is a language – something that speaks in harmony with everything around her.”

The homeowner offers me a perfect espresso before I turn into a swimsuit and slip into the crystal -clear water. The heat and stress dissolve under the surface, and I enjoy a few precious minutes of calm luxury – an intimate moment of the therapeutic silence.

As it turns out, the Covid 19 pandemic and the ongoing fighting rounds of Israel's billionaires have taught a tough truth: it makes little sense to wait for international trips. The private pool, which is hidden behind the gates of the villa, has become the central meeting point for the family and the wellness hub of the family.

“These pools are pure well -being,” says Zadok. “In the chaos of Israeli life, they are essential spaces of calm and peace. A pool is against stress. They come home and shed the pressure of their day. Water is soothing, uplifting and free.

I'm still in my swimsuit when I arrive at the next stop on the tour. The architect Dan Israelevitz reminds me again not to announce the place of the pool or details of his customer. Then he opens the gate to one of the most striking projects I saw in Israel: a private house where the pool is not part of the house – it is the house.

“It all started with a imagination, the desire to create something completely unique,” explains Israelevitz. “The customer asked for a house surrounded by water. There were no budget restrictions, so I took it as far as possible. The result is a house that seems to float over the pool.”

They enter the house via a sidewalk with jumping stones that float just above the water. “The water almost touches the underside and creates the illusion of going on water,” he says. “Wherever they look, it is reflected in the water. The design creates a breathtaking feeling of serenity and infinite space. Water is the heart of the house.”

Inside, the central terrace consists of a series of flat pools. “There is a unique design approach – rounded ceiling elements, some of which are open, partially closed and in an unusual natural light.

“The terrace feels like a botanical garden indoors. The green mixes seamlessly with the water and creates an atmosphere of deep calm and total privacy. The interaction between plants, water and architecture leads to a really extraordinary experience. This is a home that has been built to resolve stress – a place where you come up, a deep breath and feel tension.”

The showpoce is the 30 -meter -long main pool with tailor -made volumes and swimming areas. “The customer's children are swimmers, so the dimensions with precise precision were planned,” notes Israelevitz. “This project was a meticulous cooperation with the customer, who is also a contractor. He has lodged hundreds of hours of work. Every detail was checked, every element that was designed with incredible care. Nothing was left to chance. It is a real work of art.”

In the question of costs, Israelevitz politely rejects numbers. “It's a big investment,” he says. “Hundreds of hours of high -ranking planning and execution. Everyone in this area will know what that means.”

When I go along the sun-infected, water-filled terrace, I remember a visit to a Shinto Temple in Japan. I want this well -being. I want this peace. I want a pool that anchor my home.

A short jump into the cool water and I am transported to a sensory world of shapes, shadows and shimmering light. The wild nature beyond the window adds another layer of luxury. I'm not trying to be jealous. I will return to reality in a few minutes. At the moment I breathe deeply and immerse yourself in a pool that is worth as much as a house.